Friday, 5/29

Wait. It's almost summer? How the $##(^ did THAT happen?

It's true, though. And you would've thought that the 80+ degree weather we had earlier this week should have alerted me to that fact. But nope. Even though it seems like I last went snowshoeing last week (it was April 6^th, to be specific), what weather experts call “meteorological summer” begins Monday, June 1^st.

The fact that June starts Monday blows my mind, too, but let's leave that be for the time being.

I realize this wacky, wacky year has thrown everyone's perception of time off, so maybe I'm not to blame too much for being stunned it's about to be “summer”. The lilacs aren't quite out yet here in Marquette, and they usually make their appearance before the end of May. And (in a somewhat related matter) we really didn't have a “spring” this year. Last week, temperatures were in the 40s; this week, they were in the 80s (before, of course, they went back to the 40s of today's forecast). So, once again, maybe I'm not to blame too much.

But you'd think that after all these years of saying “I can't believe it's June (or whatever month it is)” I'd figure that I, in reality, actually would be to blame.

You'd think.

I'll probably get the whole thing figured out right as I'm about to turn 100 or so, and then not be able to use that knowledge that much. But until then, you can rest assured that I'll still be stunned by the rapidity with which time moves, and the seemingly arbitrary way season change without my knowledge and/or permission.

Have a great “summer” weekend, he says, knowing it'll only be 50 or so outside here in Marquette!

(jim@wmqt.com)

Thursday, 5/28

I think it's an idea worth looking into.

One of the ways the Marquette City Commission is considering to help small business owners downtown is to close off several streets of downtown to vehicular traffic for the summer. This would allow restaurants to put socially-distanced seating out on the street, and to allow stores to move merchandise out there so more people could peruse their good. It would basically be like the Blueberry Festival, but each and every day of the summer.

I personally think it's a cool idea. I've been in many European cities where streets are pedestrian only, and it's a great way to just stroll around and see what there is to see. Plus, in an environment like today's, it might allow local small businesses (especially restaurants) to get more people to visit and help them get back on their feet quicker. And then, the more people who are walking and the fewer who are driving would help the environment, as well.

And that would be a good thing.

Of course, Marquette—or any American city—isn't Europe. Americans have a love affair with their cars, and this plan would severely restrict or totally shut down several of the main streets in downtown Marquette. I could see a whole bunch of people complaining because they might have to drive a block out of their way or take an extra 30 seconds to get where they're going.

Heaven forbid.

I have no idea if this plan will actually become reality; for now, the Commission is just throwing it around. But the fact that they're thinking this much outside the box shows a little creativity on their part, and their willingness to consider just about anything to make sure that downtown businesses get through this strange time with as little damage as possible.

We'll see how it all turns out.

*****

Needless to say I was rather disappointed when the Space X launch was scrubbed because of weather yesterday. But there's always Saturday, right?

Right!

(jim@wmqt.com)

Wednesday, 5/27

Like you, I get to be a space nerd today!

Wait...you're NOT gonna be a space nerd today? How can you NOT be a space nerd today? After all, if things go according to schedule, for the first time in almost nine years astronauts will be launching from American soil into orbit to visit in the International Space Station.

Like I said—how can you NOT be a space nerd today?

Actually, if you're not, don't worry about it. You're in good company. Over 80% of Americans have no idea at all that two NASA astronauts will be in a Space-X Crew Dragon capsule and are scheduled for lift-off a little after 4. And while I don't know this for sure, it wouldn't surprise me if a large majority of that 80% didn't even know that there's an International Space Station to which the astronauts will be traveling.

And that's a shame.

I know; I'm in the vast minority of people when it comes to subjects like this. Most Americans couldn't give a rat's butt about what's going to happen today. And in a way, I can't blame them, especially with everything that's going on in the world today. But this is something that's kind of special. For the first time since July 2011, when Atlantis left the pad in Florida, Americans—the people who landed on the moon first—are putting humans in space. For the first time in almost a decade human spaceflight resumes on this continent.

Shouldn't it be a bigger deal than it is?

It's not, and that's life. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me that the only way people might hear about what's going on today would be if something were to go wrong. Hopefully, that won't happen, and hopefully, 80% of Americans will go on with their lives blissfully unaware.

Not me, though. I know exactly where I'll be starting at 4 today!

(jim@wmqt.com)

Tuesday, 5/26

Well, “Operation Stimulus List” has gotten off to a fine start.

If you've been reading this for a while you know that I have a list of things that I was planning on buying from locally-owned stores. I'm actually using my stimulus check (or, more accurately, my stimulus direct deposit) for the purpose for which is was intended, to stimulate the economy. So this weekend I masked up and ventured into a few local stores that were open, which means that I now have a bunch of teas and a new tea kettle, a pillow or two, a 6-pack of Blackrock's Honey Lav, and this--

Say “hello” to my little friend!

Loraine and I have been looking at the cow in the window of Yooper Casual for a couple of weeks now, and we both knew it was going on my list from the moment I saw it. Yes, I know I have other stuffed cows, but how many of them have purple spots on them? Or rattle when you shake them?

Yes, I know I need help. What's your point?

8-)

I didn't get everything on the list; after all, not all the stores were comfortable with opening yet. And that's cool. I think a lot of people were using this past weekend to gauge how things were going and whether or not they felt ready to go. Some were. Some weren't. And that's alright. If we've waited nine weeks to buy something already, what's another week or two or four?

At least that's what I'm thinking.

So that's one project that's gotten underway. Another yearly project is ramping up, too--

I'm thinking I'd better get my nose in shape, and quite soon, too!

(jim@wmqt.com), lover of lilacs. And cows.

Friday, 5/22

I think I'm ready for the holiday weekend. I just don't know if the lilacs are.

Memorial Day weekend is usually when the lilacs start to pop out around here, give or take a couple of days (or weeks). But because the holiday is early this year and because it's been kinda chilly recently, I'm not surprised they're not out yet. They're usually a couple of weeks the lilacs behind downstate, and this was a picture my sister-in-law (hi, Melanie!) sent a few days ago--

So while we have proto-buds, I guess I won't be doing a lot of sniffing this weekend. Oh well...

The one thing I am looking forward to is actually having a few days off. I know I've written in here about just how, well, absurdly insane the past few months have been, not just for me, but for everyone. And to have three days when (hopefully) nothing happens and a person can just chill?

Heaven on Earth. Not quite the Heaven on Earth we'd have if the lilacs had sprouted, but this year, it might just be enough.

Have yourself a great weekend. Stay safe. Make sure you wear your mask if you venture out into our partially reopened world!!

(jim@wmqt.com)

Thursday, 5/21

I found the number to be quite interesting.

According to a new poll from Warrior Insight Marketing, done for Great Lakes Wine & Spirits, only 12% of Michigan residents think the stay-at-home order for the past two months has been a bad thing. Despite the armed protests and all the vitriol on social media, only 1 in 8 state residents are angry at the order.

Heck, 17% of state residents thought the order didn't go far enough. With all the media coverage and posting of memes, you would've thought the numbers would've been skewed far differently. But nope.

One of the other numbers that I found very interesting in the survey is that only 15%--or one in seven state residents—would feel safe going to a bar when they open in the UP tonight. I can't say I'm surprised; nor can I say I'm surprised when those same respondents say they're three times more likely to say “yes” when asked if they'd go to a bar in a month once all the kinks are worked out.

Numbers can be fun, can't they?

I'll be very curious to see how tomorrow's openings go. I know there are several bars that will open their doors at 12:01 am tonight. I also know that there are many bars & restaurants that will be taking their time, either by not opening or by continuing to just serve take out & delivery. I just get the feeling that, in all, it'll be a little more anti-climactic that people think it'll be.

I think I'm in the camp that leans toward waiting to see how things shake out. As I mentioned Tuesday I have my list of places I want to go and things I want to eat, but I'll let the people who really need to go out go out and have their fun. I can wait a few days or a week, if only to see how everything shakes out, and to see who's decided to open and who's decided to hang back for a bit.

After all, if we've been waiting for two months now, what's another couple of days?

We'll see how things turn out. I'm kind of lucky, too, because I may have an indication of opening night activity when I walk to work tomorrow morning. You know how I haven't come across any piles of puke since the bars have been closed?

Well, if I see one tomorrow, I'll know at least one downtown bar garnered their share of that 15 percent.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Wednesday, 5/20

History Jim was supposed to be doing a gig tonight.

While I'm still waiting to hear if my “Third Street: Day & Night” and “The Greasier the Spoon” walking tours for the History Center will happen this year, one thing that I had been asked to do was cancelled a while ago. Tonight, I was supposed to give a short talk on Louis Kaufman at the annual Kaufman Awards, held in Kaufman Auditorium.

But, like everything regarding schools this year, that won't be happening..

Don't worry; they're still giving out the awards, which go to deserving students throughout the school district. But they won't be having the ceremonies like they usually do. While I've never actually taken part in them, I was asked to this year because the person who usually gives the life story of Louis Kaufman was scheduled to be out of the country, and they asked me to fill in.

Like mine, though, his trip was cancelled. As was the awards ceremony this year.

I feel bad for the kids who will getting their awards virtually this year. This is usually kind of a big deal for students in the Marquette Area Public School system. As the proud uncle of two nieces who received the awards and as the host of a TV show that's featuring a bunch of recipients, I know the special air that goes along with getting the honor. And while this year's recipients get the honor, they don't get the hoopla that goes along with it.

That's a bummer.

So, History Jim won't be talking about Louis Kaufman tonight. As for the walking tours this summer, I have no idea. As of right now, groups bigger than 10 people are still not allowed. And since the last time I did a walking tour I had 300 people come along, well...

You can do the math.

We'll just have to see if things change by July 8^th.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Tuesday, 5/19

Geez. I wonder if we'll even know how to act in public any more?

We here in the UP get to be the test case for the rest of Michigan, as we're re-opening beginning on Friday. We'll have to wear masks everywhere we go, bars & restaurants can only have 50% capacity, and gatherings are limited to ten or fewer people, but that first step on the long road to normalcy has been taken.

It's gonna be strange; that's for sure.

I don't know that, personally, my lifestyle will change that much. After all, I've been going to work throughout this entire shutdown. But I do know that there are people who've been religiously sticking to safety protocols and staying home, only venturing out to get essential supplies. That's why I'm thinking I'll lay low when things reopen Friday. I've been out and about in the world. There are many other people who really haven't since mid-March.

I'll let them have their socially-distanced fun.

One thing I do look forward to tackling whenever would be checking items off my “stimulus list”. As you may recall, I've started a list of locally-owned businesses in which to spend the $1,200 I was given in stimulus money. I've been very fortunate in that I didn't need the money to survive the stay-at-home order, so I want to use it in the manner in which it was intended—to help stimulate local businesses. So I have my list of things to get in locally-owned, mom & pop stores. I'm not spending any of it in big chain stores. They're surviving the downturn just fine. But a lot of the downtown stores I know & love aren't, which is why the list I've been working on is filled with places at which I can spend the $1,200.

I know it might not make that big of a difference, but it's something I feel kind of strongly about, for whatever reason.

Like I said, though, I'll wait until next week to do that. I'll let everyone who hasn't been as lucky as me, people who've followed the rules and stayed home these past two months, have their fun first. They certainly deserve it.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Monday, 5/18

Boy, I'm really out of shape.

Now, just to be clear, I'm not out of shape physically. During this whole little crisis I've been keeping up on my routines of running and working out and kicking a soccer ball, and as soon as I get some time to pump up my tires I'll add biking, as well. I'm not out of shape physically. I am, however, REALLY out of shape when it comes to eating baked goods.

And yes, that is a thing.

The shutdown has affected a lot of my favorite places around Marquette, from Babycakes to 231 and many others. Now that they're reopening we've been celebrating by purchasing some product, and that how I've discovered just how out of shape I've gotten.

I can't even eat a whole scone in one sitting any more. It's shocking, isn't it?

Now, admittedly, this isn't an average scone. This is a Babycakes M&M's scone that's approximately the size of an old 45 record, and with a weight that's approaching one pound. A normal person wouldn't be able to eat it in one sitting anyway. As we all know, though, I'm anything but normal, and would often scarf a whole one at one time, washing it down with a glass of milk. But when I tried it this weekend, even without the milk, I couldn't even make it halfway through without uttering this refrain--

“I'm so stuffed I'm never eating again”.

That's never happened before when eating a Babycakes scone. But because I haven't had one in six or seven weeks I just couldn't do it. It took just six or seven weeks for my eating muscles to atrophy and for my stomach to rebel half a pound into the one pound scone. I guess fitness experts really are right.

If you don't use it, you lose it.

Never fear, though. I will work to get back into shape. I will keep eating Babycakes scones, no matter how long it takes, to make sure that I can finish one in one sitting. I've been that in shape before, and I'm sure I can do it again.

Wish me luck.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Friday, 5/15

Remind me not to wear that color again any time soon.

Yesterday was dress-up day at work, where everyone's who's in the office does their best to look professional. I instituted the policy after the pandemic hit, just to make sure that everyone here remembers what being an adult is like. So far, I've had 100% compliance with the directive from everyone who's at the station each and every day.

You know—me.

As usual during dress-up day I wore a shirt, tie, and jacket, garnering strange looks not only from the one listener to whom I slipped a prize under the front door, but also from me as well. I was wearing something I've worn before, a charcoal gray jacket with an almost neon blue shirt. It's a great example of contrast, and when I wear it on TV it really stands out. But you knew what really stood out when I looked in the mirror yesterday?

The gray hair on my head matching the charcoal gray of the jacket.

When I was talking about my increasingly-wavy and feathering hair last week I also mentioned how the longer it gets, the more gray you can see. And it's true. But the combination of the gray hair on my head and the gray of the jacket I was wearing did something I didn't even think was possible.

It made me looked washed out.

Now, those of you who know me know that for a white guy I have kind of dark skin. I don't get washed out. In fact, in the middle of January I have people ask me if I just got back from Florida. So I don't look pale. But through some strange trick of coloring or optical phase cancellation or something, the mix of my increasingly long gray hair and the charcoal gray jacket I was wearing just washed my face out. When I took the jacket off? My face looked normal (or as normal as I can ever look). When I put the jacket back on?

Pale. It was the strangest thing.

So, I now know to wear something else on the next station dress-up day. I'm thinking black. After all, you can't go wrong with basic black, right? I'm pretty sure it won't wash my face out like gray did. If nothing else, it'll probably just make the gray in my hair stand out even more.

We'll find out Tuesday.

On that note, have a great weekend. If you're so inclined, RB Leipzig is playing SC Freiburg on Fox Sports 2 Saturday morning. Even if we didn't get over to Germany to see a game live in person earlier this month, it'll still be a big day in the Koski household!

(jim@wmqt.com)

Thursday, 5/14

I am now in the middle of my eighth week of working alone.

For the most part, I have enjoyed it quite a bit. As I've mentioned before I can tackle a project and know I won't get interrupted by a co-worker with a question or with a little gossip. I can turn music up as loud as I want, and I can sing along with that music and not make a total fool of myself (at least to anyone else).

So that part of it's cool.

But I'm also in the middle of my eighth week of working alone. If the people working from home need something done here, I have to do. If their equipment isn't working properly, even at 5 in the morning, I have to fix it. If the office phone rings and it's someone telling us our vehicle's extended warranty is expiring, I have to answer the phone and then hang up on them.

I am the master of my domain (in the non-Seinfeldian sense). That means I have to take the bad with the good, I guess. I'll get to keep dubbing in news reports and sticking sports talk shows on the air. I'll get to reboot computers and hound people who don't send sound files in on time. And I'll still get to inwardly chuckle when someone wants me to extend the station vehicle's extended warranty.

Now, if I can just get my boss to actually BUY a station vehicle, we'd be all set.

8-)

(jim@wmqt.com)

Wednesday, 5/13

Well, it's nice to know I still have that weird talent of mine.

I've joked in here before that the only special “talent” I have is the ability to discuss any subject for 30 or so seconds and make it sound like I know what I'm talking about. It's a talent I rarely use, yet is has come in handy once or twice in my life.

Well, make that three times after yesterday.

The Michigan Air National Guard did a flyover of Marquette yesterday in a salute to health care workers. It was a nice thing to do; after all, they deserve each and every ounce of praise they can get. Since the flight plan for the flyover was set to go right over downtown Marquette I figured I'd take a microphone out on the sidewalk and broadcast while they were doing it.

Unfortunately, they didn't fly over downtown or the lake. The flight came down from Houghton along the lake, and then flew down Seventh Street, over the hospital and Jacobetti, and then back headed back downstate. That flight plan was great for both health care and vets, who must've had chills running down their spine.

For those of us downtown who couldn't see a thing? Well, not so much. And for those of us standing outside with a microphone, broadcasting and wondering where the planes were? REALLY not so much.

I was following the flight on Flightaware, so I knew where it was and about when it would hit downtown. I brought my microphone outside, and started describing the situation. Seven minutes later, wondering just what the heck was going on because the flight was only a minute away (last time I checked) I came back inside, while still broadcasting, and found the flight was already into Alger County.

Les Nessman would have been proud.

For seven minutes I talked about what was going on and why. I mentioned the people on the Range Bank parking deck across the street waiting to take pictures. I talked about the tankers, and their history at KI Sawyer. I talked about all the other flyovers they were doing yesterday. Heck; I even talked about the Flightaware software. But not once did I see the plane and, like I said, found out seven minutes later that we missed the whole thing.

Oops.

It wasn't a total loss. We did have someone who did get a video of it. But for those seven minutes, waiting for the plane to flyover and trying my best to now have any dead air, all I can say is this--

I'm glad I was able to use my one skill in life yesterday. Let's just not do it again any time soon.

8-)

(jim@wmqt.com)

Tuesday, 5/12

Maybe, just maybe, this should be taken as a sign of optimism.

You may recall that we got lucky shooting “High School Bowl” this past year. Because of the insanity of cancelled days and more cancelled days last year, we actually finished shooting the season earlier that usual this year. Of course, with all the crap that's happened since March that was a good thing. We were able to get all of our shows done and aired like nothing weird was going on.

Even though there was a LOT of weird was going on.

Well, in that sign of optimism I just mentioned, in a few hours I'm going to a socially-distanced and masked meeting for the express purpose of setting up next season's shooting schedule. That's right; we're assuming schools will be open this fall and students will be able to come to Marquette for the 43^rd season of the show.

I just hope that optimism's not misplaced.

I've actually thought quite a bit about whether or not the show would go on as normal over the past few months. Unlike some, it's not a show that you can really do remotely; you need to have the students in the studio hitting their buzzer. You also need a camera crew to shoot it. About the only thing that could be done, social distancing-wise, would be to shoot without an audience. But other than that, we'd need to shoot it as we normally do.

I suppose we could, if needed, wear masks while taping. That would make for some interesting TV, although I'm sure there are many viewers (me among them) who would claim it improves my look. Aside from some muffled answers, though, something like that would work. And who knows—it COULD be interesting. We'd be relying more on things like eye gestures than ever before, instead of smiles. But who knows how that might turn out.

I mean, I hope we don't have to find out, but it could be interesting.

With that, I am off to my socially-distanced meeting. Hopefully, the schedule (and any needed contingency plan will come off without a hitch. Keep your fingers crossed!

(jim@wmqt.com)

Monday, 5/11

I guess there's a first time for everything.

Later today I'm gonna do something I've never done before. I'm gonna do something I've never even considering doing, nor have had the actual ability to do. And yet, I'm gonna do it. What is that “it”, you ask? Well, I answer...

I'm going on a sports talk show because I'm an “expert”.

Let me guess—you just did a spit take with your morning coffee, right? I know I would. But it's true. Little old me, the person who knows mostly nothing about sports, will be a guest on our little brother ESPN U.P. talking about, of all things, the Bundesliga.

And here you thought my trips to Germany were a waste.

As I wrote last Friday the Bundesliga starts playing this Saturday. Their games are shown in the US, and will probably be watched by more people than usual because, aside from Korean baseball, there's nothing else available, live sports-wise, in the US. So Tanner, who hosts “The Sportspen” every day, figured he'd try to educate the audience on the teams and personalities in the Bundesliga and figured that because I went to see a game in person last year I'm that expert.

Jim Koski, Sports Expert. Guess I'm gonna need new business cards now.

I still can't stop laughing; as most everyone who's ever met me knows, I'm not a big sports guy. There are the Colts, the Tour de France, and, now, the Bundesliga. That's it. If you stuck me on “The Sportspen” and asked me to talk about anything they normally discuss I'd spent the entire segment going “Ahhhh..” and “I have no idea”. But I know enough—just enough—to do an interview and sound like I know what I'm talking about. I mean, I'll know I'm no expert and you'll know I'm no expert but hopefully, the listeners won't.

We'll see how that turns out.

In the past we've met Radio Jim, and TV Jim, and History Jim, and even, twice a year, Finish Line Jim. And later today, for perhaps the only time in recorded human history, we'll also meet Sports Jim.

Who knew?

(jim@wmqt.com)

Friday, 5/8

Well, at least it's something.

The Bundesliga, the German national soccer league, will begin playing again next Saturday (the 16^th). Crowds won't be allowed to watch the games, and the players will have to be quarantined for a bit, but at least it'll give us something to watch.

Even if we didn't get to see one of the games in person.

If you recall, the reason for our now-cancelled German trip was to see RB Leipzig take on Fortuna Dusseldorf in a game originally scheduled for last weekend. We'll still get to see the game, only it's now scheduled for mid-June and we'll have to watch it on TV because for (probably) the rest of the calendar year all Bundesliga games will be “ghost games”. But heck--

At least it's one return to normalcy in a world that's currently anything but normal.

They're starting up games in Germany because the country has been amazingly successful in controlling the spread of Covid 19. Even though they had quite a few cases earlier this year they had a rigorous testing program, leaders who believe in science, and residents who follow social distancing rules. Because of that, Germany had amazingly few deaths despite the number of cases. So they feel confident in slowly re-opening their country, and giving people something to watch on TV—Bundesliga games—is part of that plan.

Now let's hope it goes off without a hitch. Because, you see, part of the protocol is that if even one player tests positive in the future, the season's cancelled.

But it's something. Our team, RB Leipzig, kicks off the rest of the season next Saturday by hosting SC Freiburg, which is the exact game we went and saw last year. Hopefully, the result will be the same and hopefully, it'll be the beginning of seven weeks of non-stop action.

Hopefully.

On that (hopeful) note, have a great weekend. Stay warm, and don't forget Sunday is Mother's Day!!

(jim@wmqt.com)

Thursday, 5/7

If you had 37 in the pool you get to walk away with the cash!

Now, I highly doubt there's a pool for this particular number. If there were, then I would guess that someone out there has been driven HIGHLY insane by all the things going on these days. But I was curious about something, so I kept track of it yesterday, and that's how I came up with the number.

During a 9-hour day at work I wash my hands 37 times.

That works out to around once every 15 minutes, which, among other things, probably explains why my hands are so dry and cracked. But these days you can't be too careful, I guess. Even though I'm here (mostly) alone and have been for eight weeks now, I'm still following recommendations and washing my hands when I feel the need.

And, apparently, that need is every 15 minutes.

Now, just so you don't think I'm a freak (as opposed to all the other times I've said “now, just so you don't think I'm a freak”) I usually wash my hands quite a bit anyway. I'm quite aware of germs and how they're transmitted, and while I'm not in any way OCD about it I do try to keep my hands clean, especially when I'm about to touch food or drink. And since, when I'm at work, I don't eat regular meals but instead graze my way through the day, I'm washing my hands quite a bit.

Considering I haven't had a sick day in three decades of working here, I'm thinking that's a practice that actually does pay off.

I have no idea how much I used to wash my hands before the pandemic struck. I do know it was a lot less than 37 times a day; the dry skin on my hands is proof of that. So I've always been a little...careful about keeping them clean. But like many things these days, my old habit has been twisted and turned and refined to become something I hardly recognize. However, unlike some of the things we no longer recognize, I'm thinking this isn't a bad thing. My hands are staying clean, I'm staying germ-free, and aside from going through copious amounts of lotion to try and keep the cracked skin a little less cracked, it's not too much of a change from normal.

That, however, is not to say that I don't look forward to the day when I no longer have to wash my hands 37 times in a 9-hour span. I'm keeping my fingers—my dry, cracked, but clean fingers—crossed.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Wednesday, 5/6

I should be on plane heading to the US right now.

Of course, I'm not, and I guess I've made my peace with that. I mean, I'm disappointed we didn't get to go to Germany like we planned, but as I've said many times during the past two months, if that's the least of my worries during this whole crisis then I may be one of the luckiest people on Earth.

And, thankfully, I am.

However, that didn't stop me from...I don't know if “mourning” is the right word here, but it didn't stop me from mourning this morning the fact that I should be on a plane right now. I know most people loathe flying, especially on something like an 8-hour flight, but not me. I love it. Yes, it's inconvenient and yes, I've had to overcoming the urge to throttle people sitting in front of me who just love to recline their seats into my bony knees, but I really do like flying. I like the rituals that go along with it, I like the gentle swaying of the plane as it takes off and lands, and I love—just love—staring out the window for hours on end, watching the world go by.

Yes, I'm a freak. What's your point?

But I didn't get to do that today, and as we've discussed in here several times the past few weeks, I don't know when I'll be able to do it again. That's okay; I understand and accept the reasons why perfectly. I'm not complaining. I am, however, looking forward to the time—whenever that may be—that I get to do it again.

Let's just hope that it's, say, sometime this decade.

Now if you'll excuse me, in memory of not being on a plane I'm gonna go eat a bowl of German cereal and wash it down with a cup of German tea (green tea with vanilla, if you're curious), and then eat the last piece of Lindt dark chocolate with pink grapefruit in my possession. Since they don't make it any more, I think it's only fitting to eat the final piece I have on a day like today.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Tuesday, 5/5

I am once again astounded at how nature moves on whether we're paying attention to it or not. But this time, it's in a good way!!

With everything going on, and with me, as I explained last week, not even realizing it's “spring”, I saw this on my favorite lilac tree walking to work yesterday. They weren't anywhere near that advanced Friday morning,but the relatively warm temperatures we had Friday & Saturday must've helped them out quite a bit.

Now, we just have to hope that the cold of this week doesn't cause them to scurry back into the branches from which they're budding!

Another thing I had mentioned last week was how I seem to have been using these ramblings as sort of a personal diary of what's happening during the Corona-tine (a term, I must admit, I stole from someone else). It seems like a lot of people have been writing or journaling or photographing their way through the past few months, and it's actually inspired several historical organizations around Marquette, including the History Center, to ask for copies of whatever you're doing.

Seeing as how we're living through history, we might as well make sure future generations know how we handled it, right?

So if you have writings you wanna donate, or pictures, or tickets to a cancelled event—basically, anything that documents what we're going through now—let the History Center know.. Think of it this way—in 10 or 50 or 100 years someone might use YOUR thoughts or your contributions to write a paper or try to recreate exactly what it is we're going through these days.

Because, you know, whether we want to or not, we're making that history each and every day.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Monday, 5/4

I think Farrah Fawcett would be proud of me.

It has now been nine weeks (to the day) since my hair was cut. I usually go five or so weeks between cuts; maybe six, if I'm really busy. If I do go six I usually end up making fun of myself because my hair starts to do weird things. Well, here we are now, three weeks past even THAT date, and my hair is starting to do things not seen since 70s TV stars bounced across the small screen.

Yippee.

When my hair gets a little too long it starts to develop a life of its own. Underneath it gets wavy, and on top it starts to curl and (most importantly) feather. Four and a half decades ago people paid big bucks to have feathered hair; all I have to do is not get it cut for nine weeks.

Not only, but my hair grows at different speeds depending where upon my head it sits. I don't know if this happens to everyone or if I'm just a freak (I'm guessing the latter), but the hair on the left side of my head grows faster than the hair on the right side, while the hair on the right back of my head grows faster than the hair on the left back. So, aside from having feathered hair, my head now also resembles a lopsided anvil.

Like I don't have enough problems as it is, right?

I guess I shouldn't complain. At least I still have hair, gray as parts of it may be. I could be like my little brother, who doesn't have to worry about his hair feathering and his head looking like an anvil because, you know, he lost his hair years ago. And who knows—maybe if it keeps growing for a few more weeks I'll start looking less like Farrah Fawcett and more like, say Jim Morrison. I highly doubt that'll happen; odds are, I'll look more like Cousin Itt from “The Addams Family” than anything. But a boy can dream, right?

Right?

8-)

(jim@wmqt.com)

Friday, 5/1

I wrote it a couple of weeks ago. I even wrote a blog a couple of weeks about writing it. So, then, why was I so shocked when I noticed it was printed Wednesday?

Sometimes, I amaze even myself. Not in a good way, mind you, but sometimes I amaze even myself.

As I mentioned in that blog a few weeks ago I've been writing a lot recently. One of those things was a newspaper article for the History Center's weekly Mining Journal bit. After writing it I sent it in and promptly forgot about it, at least until I took a look at Wednesday's paper and saw a slightly familiar looking picture on the front page teasing an article on the back page.

That, of course, would be the article I wrote and then promptly forgot about.

I know these are bizarre times and I know that everyone's been thrown off their game, but still. Have I really been writing so much that once I press “save” I totally forget about it? Does that means there are other things out there that'll surprise me when they're published? Does that mean I even have my own version of “War & Peace” saved on a hard drive somewhere, awaiting discovery?

Nothing would shock me any more.

One of the things I think I might do this weekend—should I find a few extra minutes in between writing things—would be to go back and re-read the past six or seven weeks of these. In all honesty, I don't even remember what most of them were about, despite the fact that I've kind of been using them as a personal diary for live during pandemic time. I'm hoping I haven't repeated and/or embarrassed myself; however, I make no guarantees.

After all, if I can't remember writing a %R$&_$# newspaper article, why should I remember one blog out of a series of 40-some since this started?

Sigh.

8-)

On that note, have yourself a great (and safe) weekend. If you have a little time and the desire to check out the newspaper article I forgot I write, just click here!

(jim@wmqt.com)